Rev. Msgr. Raymond G. Breton
Deceased: 2014-11-02
Diocese: OAKLAND
CSM Graduation Year: 2000
REV. MSGR. RAYMOND G. BRETON, JCL JULY 20, 1942- NOVEMBER 2, 2014
Rev. Msgr. Raymond G. Breton died in the early hours of November 2, 2014 (All Souls’ Day/Dia de los Muertos). Msgr. Ray was the son of the late Albert V. Breton and Solange G. Breton Boucher, both natives of Quebec Canada. He was preceded in death by his brother and sister-in-law Real and Jane Breton and his sister and brother-in-law Jeannine Breton and Walter Telford. He is survived by his sister Yolande Breton and seven nieces and nephews and many grandnieces and nephews.
Monsignor was born on July 20, 1942, in Meriden, CT. He attended St. Laurent Catholic School in Meriden and then entered the seminaries and novitiate of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. He was ordained a priest with the Oblates on September 7, 1968. With the Oblates, he served as a retreat master, seminary professor, associate pastor, and chaplain in the United States Navy from 1973 to 1978.
In September 1978, Monsignor moved to Oakland and was incardinated as a priest of the diocese in April, 1983. He served the people of this diocese as an associate pastor of St. John the Baptist Church in El Cerrito (1978-1982) and Holy Spirit Church in Fremont (1982-1985). He was pastor of St. Philip Neri Church in Alameda from 1985 to 1990. For the years 1990 to 1994, Monsignor served as Chancellor of the Diocese with residence at St. Anthony Church in Oakland. In 1994 and until 1998, he was pastor of St. Jarlath Church in Oakland.
From 1998 to 2000, Monsignor attended the Angelicum University in Rome where he earned and was granted a License in Canon Law. From 2000 to 2012, he served with the Tribunal of the Diocese of Oakland, eventually as Judicial Vicar for almost a decade.
Monsignor also served, at various times, as Vicar for Priests and Vicar for Religious and as a member of the Diocesan School Board, Priests’ Council, Personnel Board, College of Consultors and many more. He retired in July of 2012 and at a Retirement Dinner was surprised and honored to be named a Monsignor, a Prelate of Honor. In retirement, he has served many parishes, particularly St. Stephen in Walnut Creek.
Monsignor was known and loved for his outreach to others, his generous service to the English, Spanish, and French speaking communities of the diocese, and his genuine concern for all that his life touched. His wit, his careful and hard work in his service to others, and his insightful analysis of people and situations were greatly appreciated. His love for vacations on the Island of Maui is well remembered by many. He had many, many friends from the various ministries in his life, and they mourn his early passing to new life.
Viewing of the body will be from 9 am to 9:45 am at St. Philip Neri Church in Alameda on Friday November 7, 2014. Monsignor’s funeral service will follow the viewing at 10 am on the same day. Committal will be at the Priests’ Plot at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Hayward.
